Understanding Soil Health for the Future: The Evergreen Revolution in Agriculture
As the agricultural world shifts toward sustainability, the concept of soil health has taken center stage. In a recent SaskSoil webinar, Greg Patterson, President, CEO, and Chief Agronomist at A&L Canada Laboratories unpacked the science and strategy behind building healthier soils for more productive, sustainable farming.
From foundational chemistry to cutting-edge biological interactions, Patterson outlined the core principles of what’s now being called the “Evergreen Revolution.”
Watch the webinar here: A&L Research on Soil Health and their Approach to Ecological Agriculture
What Is the Evergreen Revolution?
Coined in recent years, the Evergreen Revolution focuses on using ecological agriculture to improve soil biology, reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, and enhance crop productivity. Patterson prefers the term ecological agriculture over organic or regenerative because it emphasizes a broader, systems-based approach—integrating science, technology, and nature.
Why Soil Health Matters More Than Ever
With global population growth accelerating and arable land shrinking, farmers must produce more with less. That means maximizing soil productivity while minimizing environmental impact. According to Patterson, this starts with rethinking how we define and measure soil health.
“Healthy soils aren’t just about yield, they support biodiversity, resist degradation, and maintain a sustainable ecosystem.” Greg Patterson
The Science Behind Soil Health: More Than NPK
Traditional farming has long emphasized nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). But soil health requires a more nuanced, balanced approach.
Patterson emphasized:
17 essential nutrients are required for plant growth—not just the big three.
Excess nitrogen use often stems from imbalanced soils.
Key ratios, like the potassium to magnesium (K:Mg) ratio, can directly affect nutrient availability, disease resistance, and even microbial activity.
Balanced Fertility = Healthy Microbiomes
Plants actively recruit and manage microbial populations in their root zones (the rhizosphere). Soil microbes help solubilize phosphorus, improve nutrient uptake, and even suppress disease.
“We now know that plants feed microbes up to 60% of their photosynthates. They’re not just growing roots—they’re cultivating entire microbial communities.” —Greg Patterson
When fertility is balanced:
Beneficial microbes flourish, enhancing nutrient cycling and plant health.
Harmful pathogens decrease, including disease organisms like potato scab.
Aggregate stability improves, leading to better structure and moisture retention.
Practical Tools for Farmers
One of the most actionable takeaways from Patterson’s presentation is the use of A&L’s Soil Health Index, a tool developed from years of research that blends biological, chemical, and mineralogical factors to give farmers a 0–60 rating of their soil's health.
Key metrics include:
CO₂ respiration (microbial activity)
Reactive carbon
K:Mg ratio and base saturation
Phosphorus availability
Recommendations to Improve Soil Health
Start with a detailed soil audit: Avoid bulk samples. Use site-specific sampling to understand field variability.
Focus on balance, not just quantity: Especially phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and boron.
Use biologicals wisely: Microbial inoculants only work if the soil fertility supports them.
Monitor over time: Use tools like plant tissue testing and soil health indices to track progress.
Real Results from Field Trials
In comparative field trials between Ontario and PEI, Patterson’s team found significant differences in beneficial vs. opportunistic microbe populations—directly tied to long-term fertility practices.
Balanced soils had more nitrogen-fixing rhizobium and phosphate-solubilizing pseudomonas.
Scab incidence in potatoes dropped when K:Mg ratios were within ideal ranges.
Final Thoughts
Patterson's message is clear: to achieve sustainable, high-yield farming, we must move beyond short-term fertilization and begin managing the soil as a living, breathing ecosystem.
“Weeds thrive where soil is out of balance. When you fix the fertility, the weeds—and many other problems—often go away on their own.”
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